ERIC A peltata* 
CHARACTER SPECIFICUS. 
Erica antheris muticis, subexsertis: stylo ex- 
serto, filiformi: stigmate peltato, magno: flori- 
bus axillaribus, terminalibus: foliis ternis: ra- 
mis numerosis: caule erecto. 
DESCRIPTIO. 
Caulis subpedalis: rami et ramuli|numerosi, 
filiformes, adscendentes. 
Folia terna, erecto-patentia, linearia, recta, 
obtusa. 
Flores axillares, terminales: pedunculi longi, 
bracteis calyci adpressis: corolla campanulata, 
parva, carnea, subcernua: stylo filiformi, longo : 
stigmate peltato, magno. 
Habitat ad Caput Bona? Spei. 
Floret a mense Julii in Octobrem. 
REFERENTIA. 
1. Calyx lente auctus. 
2. Corolla lente aucta. 
3. Stamina lente aucta. 
4. Germen et Pistillum, stigmate lente aucto. 
5. Germen lente auctum. 
SPECIFIC CHARACTER. 
Heath, with beardless tips, just without the 
blossom : shaft without, thread-shaped : summit 
shield-shaped and large : flowers grow from the 
axilla? of the leaves, and terminate the branches: 
leaves by threes: branches numerous: stem up¬ 
right. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Stem nearly a foot high : the large and small 
branches are numerous, thread-shaped, and as¬ 
cending. 
Leaves by threes, between erect and spreading, 
linear, straight and obtuse. 
Flowers grow from the axilla? of the leaves, 
and terminate the branches : peduncles long, with 
floral leaves pressed to the cup: blossom bell¬ 
shaped, small, flesh-coloured, and nearly nod¬ 
ding: shaft thread-shaped and long: summit 
shield-shaped and large. 
Native of the Cape of Good Hope. 
Flowers from the month of July till October. 
REFERENCE. 
1. The Empalement magnified. 
2. A Blossom magnified. 
3. The Chives magnified. 
4. Seed-bud and Pointal, summit magnified. 
5. Seed-bud magnified. 
In the Genus Erica it is sometimes very difficult to find an appropriate or unoccupied specific title. 
This little shrub furnishes no less than four to choose from : this choice has already given the addi¬ 
tional title of exserta to that of peltata , from the trivial circumstance of the pointals protruding a 
little more in some plants than others: a mere casualty, probably depending on its strength or cul¬ 
ture. The flowers are so very minute, that the pointals are the most conspicuous, resembling shields 
in miniature. The anthers are large, compared to the small size of the flowers, and so fertile, that 
when in full bloom if shaken, they emit such a quantity of pollen as would afford the specific titles 
of fertilis or farinosa. 
Our drawing was made at Mr. Lee’s last summer (1823); but we have seen it in bloom as long 
ago as 1806. 
